One year ago, North Montgomery High School senior Cam Claycomb was concentrating on the upcoming basketball season. Participating in track and field was not even on his mind, after all, he had never run track before. That is, until last spring.
On Monday, Claycomb signed a national letter of intent to run track at Indiana University-Kokomo after discovering that he enjoyed the sport and has the capability to improve.
“Honestly, I had never thought about running track,” Claycomb said. “I really had no reason not to, I just never thought about it.”
Things changed for Claycomb in the middle of basketball last season. With the encouragement of Charger track and field coach Josh Thompson, Claycomb decided to try the sport. Now, he will be running track at the collegiate level.
Thompson noticed Claycomb during basketball and was impressed with the effort he played with. He saw an athlete that could help his team.
“Even though last year was the first time Cam came out for track, his work ethic led to constant improvement throughout the season,” Thompson said. “As long as he continues to put the work in, he will have success at the next level.”
Claycomb consistently scored points for his team last season and his times also improved.
“I did OK, but I didn’t place in conference or advance out of the sectional,” Claycomb said. “But I did score points and really liked running the short distances. I believe I can get a lot better.”
Claycomb initiated the discussion to participate at IU-K while on a college visit last fall. He liked the school, where he plans to study finance, and he found Cougar coach Josh Colvin to relay his interest in running track at the collegiate level.
“I really like the coaches, and the other track and field athletes treated me like I was already on the team,” he said. “I really liked everything I saw.”
Last track season Claycomb ran the 100, 200 and was a member of the 4x100 relay team. He hopes to do the same at IU-K.
Claycomb took time to thank Coach Thompson for encouraging him to run last season and his parents, Adam and Shannon Claycomb, for their support.
Claycomb will again play basketball this year for the Chargers, but will go into the season knowing good things are coming in the spring and beyond.
